Fascinating Fact:
The rock cycle describes how rocks can change from one type to another through weathering, erosion, transport, deposition, burial, melting, and cooling.
In GCSE Geography, pupils learn how different rock types are classified and linked to real places. You will explore how rock characteristics influence soils, slopes, building materials, and landforms such as cliffs, scree slopes, and upland plateaus, helping you explain why landscapes look and behave differently.
Key Terms
- Rock cycle: A diagram geographers use to show how igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks are connected by processes inside the Earth and at its surface.
- Igneous rock: Rock formed when molten magma or lava cools and solidifies, for example basalt from lava flows or granite from deeper intrusive bodies.
- Sedimentary rock: Rock made when layers of sediment are compacted and cemented together, such as sandstone, limestone, or shale, often showing visible bedding planes.
Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)
What is the rock cycle in GCSE Geography?
In GCSE Geography, the rock cycle is a simplified model that links igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. It shows how each type forms and how rock material moves through the system over time.
What are the three main rock types in the rock cycle?
The three main rock types are igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Igneous rocks form from cooling magma, sedimentary rocks from compacted sediments, and metamorphic rocks from existing rocks changed by heat and pressure.
How does the rock cycle affect landscapes?
The rock cycle affects landscapes by creating hard and soft rocks that weather and erode at different rates. This helps explain features such as steep cliffs, rolling hills, escarpments, and rocky uplands.
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